Electricity - Glossary
Geothermal heating
A heating system that uses a heat pump to extract thermal energy from the ground or bedrock.
Geothermal heating is an energy-efficient form of heating in which a heat pump gathers solar energy stored in the ground or bedrock and uses it to heat the building. The pump needs electricity to operate, but it produces 3-4 times as much heat energy as the electricity it consumes.
A geothermal home typically uses 5,000-12,000 kWh of electricity per year depending on the size and insulation of the house. Compared with direct electric heating (18,000-25,000 kWh), geothermal saves 40-60% of electricity. The investment cost is significant (15,000-25,000 EUR), but it pays back in 7-12 years.
In a geothermal home, spot-priced electricity is often an excellent choice, because the heat pump can be scheduled to run during the cheapest hours. With a buffer tank you can store heat during cheap hours and use it during more expensive ones.
Compare electricity contracts
Compare electricity contracts and find the cheapest option
Related concepts
Electricity consumption
The amount of electrical energy used by a household or business, measured in kilowatt-hours (kWh).
District heating
A centralised heating system in which hot water is piped from a power plant to buildings through a network of pipes.
Spot-priced electricity
An electricity contract where the price varies by the hour according to the spot price on the Nord Pool power exchange.
Frequently asked questions
How much electricity does geothermal heating use?
A geothermal heat pump typically uses 5,000-12,000 kWh of electricity per year. That's around 40-60% less than direct electric heating in a house of the same size.
Is spot-priced electricity a good fit for a geothermal home?
Excellent. The heat pump can be scheduled to the cheapest hours and heat stored in a buffer tank. This brings significant savings with spot-priced electricity.
Is geothermal heating a worthwhile investment?
Yes, if the house's heating demand is high. The investment (15,000-25,000 EUR) pays back in 7-12 years through reduced electricity costs.